CBP Officers Seize More than a Ton of Marijuana, Cocaine at Laredo Port of Entry

Release Date:

March 12, 2010

Laredo, Texas - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Laredo port of entry intercepted yet another large load of marijuana along with 40 pounds of cocaine in two separate enforcement actions. The combined value of the two loads of narcotics is listed at $3.8 million.

CBP officers at the World Trade Bridge were processing commercial shipments on Wednesday, March 10 when they encountered a 1993 International tractor hauling a 1995 Stoughton box trailer driven by a Mexican citizen. The manifested merchandise presented for inspection was said to contain 12 skids of glazed tile. CBP officers referred the shipment for secondary inspection. Utilizing a non-intrusive imaging system and a canine, CBP officers discovered 773 bundles containing 2,683 pounds of marijuana within the shipment of the tile. The marijuana is said to have a street-value of $2.6 million. CBP officers seized the tractor, the trailer and the merchandise.

CBP officers find 15 packages of cocaine, valued at $1.2 million.

On Tuesday, March 9 CBP officers at the Lincoln-Juarez International Bridge were processing passenger vehicles when they encountered a 2004 Ford F-150 pick-up truck driven by a 41-year-old Mexican citizen from Forney, Texas. The driver and the truck were referred for a closer inspection at secondary. An X-ray scan and a canine assisted CBP officers in finding 40 pounds of cocaine within the Ford truck. The 15 packages of cocaine are valued at $1.2 million. CBP officers seized the cocaine and the pick-up truck.

Both of these cases have been referred to Immigration and Customs Enforcement special agents for further investigation.

"The discovery of these two significant loads of narcotics affirms the skilled dedication that CBP officers apply when processing vehicles in both of the major environments, cargo and passenger, that are so critical in carrying out our mission," said Gene Garza, CBP port director, Laredo.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.